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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

cashmere cardigan

Cashmere 3

Cashmere 2

Cashmere 1

I made K this new cardigan/jacket this week, and it seems to be just the right thing for this cooler, damper weather we're having. I asked if I could photograph her in it before school, hence the 'it's-too-early-for-this-mum' expression she has. 

I made it from a discarded adult's cashmere sweater, and kept the original hem and ribbing around the cuffs. I used vintage rayon fabric to bind the edges, and then covered a set of buttons using the same material. I was given a fantastic little button-making set by Fiona a while back- (she bought it in Singapore I think but I've found more on etsy here.) I love covering buttons. 

Have a great weekend, friends. See you again on Monday.

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20 responses to “cashmere cardigan”

  1. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    Cute. As you know I love covering buttons too. 🙂

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  2. Samantha Avatar
    Samantha

    Adorable sweater. And kid too!
    P.S. They have those “cover button” kits at Daiso (Japanese dollar-store-type-place). Well, at least they did at the Daiso in San Francisco last week.

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  3. Jacqui Avatar
    Jacqui

    They sell those button kits at the Daiso shop on Queen St here in Auckland, it’s just a couple doors down from Aotea Sq and next to Borders. They sell ‘refill’ packs too, if you’ve already have the pressers etc. Happy to send some down to you if you’re not up here anytime soon!

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  4. Claire Avatar
    Claire

    Ohhhhh that’s such a sweet cardigan. You must be the queen of op shopping… All I ever find are nasty, pilly acrylic jumpers!
    I’ve had success with covered button kits from etsy… Lots of fun 🙂

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  5. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    You can also get those button kits at the Japan shop on Queen St, Auckland. It’s just down from the Aotea Centre…

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  6. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    Urgh – sorry I should have read that someone else wrote almost exactly the same comment two up.

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  7. Jo @ a life in lists Avatar
    Jo @ a life in lists

    I just recently bought a button covering kit – I hadn’t thought through the potential of matching bindings and buttons on cardigans!

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  8. Maggie Avatar
    Maggie

    I keep meaning to ask how you shrink down these sweaters for your little loved ones, specifically how you get over the terror of cutting into knitted fabric. I’m always worried that it will unravel beyond all hope…

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  9. Melbourne Road Avatar
    Melbourne Road

    Melissa, your countless cardigan making has inspired me. My eldest daughter Tessa gave me a sweater yesterday that is too small around and I still LOVE it. It will be made into a cardi.
    Do I need a serger up the opening before binding it?
    thanks for the inspiration and for just being you!
    Lori

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  10. meg Avatar
    meg

    Hmm, so beautiful! A short tutorial on how you bind those knitty, stretchy edges after cutting into the sweater would be super. Did you make button holes, or are there snaps?

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  11. kaylovesvintage Avatar
    kaylovesvintage

    nice one!!
    my seeds are growing, enjoy your weekend

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  12. Brittany Avatar
    Brittany

    so sweet! 🙂

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  13. Cirque Du Bebe Avatar
    Cirque Du Bebe

    Wow! This is re-fashioning at its best. Lucky girl!

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  14. Vanessa Avatar
    Vanessa

    Just had to say that we finished the plum jam, based on your recipe from home grown ones, and I felt the same as you said- that it goes too quick and never lasts long enough! It lasted from March til last week! So now I’ll have to try your ginger snacks.

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  15. GretchenJoanna Avatar
    GretchenJoanna

    The sweater is quite inspiring….I’m always saving old sweaters for just this sort of thing but hadn’t ever seen a nice example of how to use them.

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  16. barvasfiend Avatar
    barvasfiend

    Hi there…I found your blog looking for a pattern to make a skirt, and then found this cardigan cut-down which I am absolutely going to do…and then noticed that the landscape looked rather familiar….I’m from the west coast originally – about half an hour south of Granity. Isn’t the internet random?
    Anyway, I really like your blog and will be watching it much more, although I’m pretty untalented in the sewing/cooking department….

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  17. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi there! welcome to my blog. 🙂 its funny how close we all are, isnt it? 

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  18. Karyn Taylor-Moore Avatar
    Karyn Taylor-Moore

    Hi Melissa . . . Just echoing the request for a tutorial on how you cut up and then re-sew Wool garments.. Do you use a normal sewing machine? I would love to try this but like an earlier commenter I’m always too scared to cut into wool clothes in case I can’t sew them back together again. By the way, I just love your blog . . . I have been following you for several months now and you have been a real inspiration to me in my own attempts to reconnect with my creativity. Thank you!

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  19. Cindy Avatar
    Cindy

    Aww, it came out great. How many did you make?

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  20. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I’m another who’d love a tutorial on how to bind knits!
    Please!!
    Loving your creations 🙂

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